Ethephon effectively breaks seed dormancy without stratification in the globally rare northern blazing star Liatris novae-angliae

Abstract

Northern blazing star (Liatris novae-angliae (Lunell) Shinners var. novae-angliae [Asteraceae]) is a perennial herbaceous plant endemic to the northeastern US, specifically the states of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Maine. The species is globally rare and listed as a protected species in all regions in which it occurs. State agencies and environmental nonprofits have been working to increase northern blazing star populations through re-introductions at historic locations or establishment at new sites. This species is typically propagated by seed. The standard germination protocol is to cold stratify seeds in moist media for 60 d. Here we show that the plant growth regulator ethephon can be used to break seed dormancy more rapidly while inducing similar germination rates to cold stratification in Liatris novae-angliae.